Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bought in five minutes, crossbow just like one that threatened Queen
No laws to stop sale of these killers
KILLER crossbows can be bought over the counter with no questions asked, despite their chilling use in a spate of killings.
Our reporters easily got their hands on a haul of the weapons in one afternoon, just days after an intruder armed with one was detained at Windsor Castle.
Now the widow of a crossbow victim wants a sales crackdown in shops and online – saying the Home Secretary’s crossbow laws review is not enough.
Laura Sugden, whose partner Shane Gilmer, 30, was murdered by a neighbour in 2018, said: “Still nothing has changed. Crossbows can do more damage than a shotgun – yet you can buy them on Amazon.
“It shouldn’t take a threat to the Queen for the Government to sit up and take notice.” Despite their lethal reputation, it’s not illegal to own a crossbow in the UK if you are over 18.
They cannot be wielded in public or used for hunting, but no licences are needed for use at archery ranges.
SCARY
We bought a £400 US Blackhawk 360 at a shop in Battersea, South London, for “target practice”. The shopkeeper did not ask for proof of identity, as he wasn’t required to. The weapon will “put meat on your table”, says one YouTube demo, and can kill a bear from 50 yards away.
It came with three arrows and a telescopic sight. Later the store, Silver Archery, agreed stricter measures were a must. The owner said: “For peace of mind and public safety I’d like some licensing, proof of no criminal record and maybe a GP’s letter saying they are of sound mind.
“One in five people who came in here last year said they wanted a crossbow for selfdefence. I didn’t sell them one, but it’s scary and it’s been getting worse over the last two years.” On Amazon we were able to buy two with next-day delivery.
The first, a £133 “takedown bow” came with “blazingly fast” carbon hunting arrows. The second, at £166, had string silencers. Other cheaper models “for hunting” cost just £60. We bought the Guillotine compound crossbow, a “favourite among serious shooters”. For £280, it came with carbon bolts capable of 370 feet per second.
But one site,
It shouldn’t take threat to Queen for Government to sit up and take notice CROSSBOW VICTIM LAURA ON PATEL REVIEW
Tactical Archery, will only sell to over-21s. It states: “We ensure all customers are age verified.” Priti Patel ordered a review of crossbow laws after Jaswant Chail, 19, of Southampton, was detained under the Mental Health Act. He allegedly scaled Windsor Castle walls last Saturday with a crossbow after vowing to kill the Queen in revenge for a massacre carried out in India by British troops in the 19th century.
Laura, 31, who was also shot by Anthony Lawrence in Driffield, East Yorks, as Shane lay dying – said tougher restrictions should already have been in place.
At Shane’s inquest the coroner condemned the “completely unregulated” market for the “deadly and vicious weapon”. Despite 42,000 signing Laura’s parliamentary petition for stricter laws, the Home Office told her in October there were “no plans to legislate further”.
She said: “It’s ironic Priti Patel had no desire to change the law less than three months ago. It’s only because of what’s happened with the Queen she’s suddenly announced a review.”
Last year, Saghawat Ramzan got 33 years for killing his brother and another person with a crossbow in the West Midlands, where police have seen 54 cases since 2017. In 2010, Shaun Griffiths called himself the Crossbow Cannibal in court after killing a victim in Bradford. West Yorkshire Police have also dealt with 53 cases since 2017.
Tactical Archery was approached for comment. The Home Office said: “We are considering options to strengthen controls on crossbows. These include introducing a registration or licensing scheme, or prohibiting certain types.”
Amazon said: “We have proactive measures in place to prevent prohibited products from being listed and we continuously monitor our store.”